Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley was mostly prune orchards and pastures when, in 1962, Maggie and Harry Wetzel purchased a large portion of a homestead built by Cyrus Alexander, the valley’s nineteenth century namesake. Here, in a rural community of family farms and ranches, the Wetzel family settled. They raised livestock, cultivated bountiful gardens and restored Alexander’s original home, ma... Read more

Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley was mostly prune orchards and pastures when, in 1962, Maggie and Harry Wetzel purchased a large portion of a homestead built by Cyrus Alexander, the valley’s nineteenth century namesake. Here, in a rural community of family farms and ranches, the Wetzel family settled. They raised livestock, cultivated bountiful gardens and restored Alexander’s original home, making it the center of family life. With an eye to their neighbors in nearby Napa Valley, the Wetzels boldly planted premium grape varieties, among the first in the area. Then the family built a small winery.
Hank Wetzel, oldest son of Maggie and Harry, produced Alexander Valley Vineyard’s first wine in 1975. His wife Linda set up the books and managed the winery office. AVV quickly established a reputation for estate grown wines with distinctive varietal character. Acclaimed for crisp Chardonnay and luscious Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley Vineyards brought recognition to the appellation and became a leading winery in Sonoma County.
Hank’s younger sister, Katie Wetzel Murphy, joined the family business in 1979. An enthusiastic ambassador, she travels the country, fueling the family-owned winery’s reputation. Today the Alexander Valley is a prominent appellation known worldwide as the source of elegant, age worthy wines. The Wetzel Family Estate now grows fourteen grape varieties, on diverse sites stretching from the banks of the Russian River up onto the hillsides. Each grape variety is matched to a specific soil type and exposure. Vineyard Manager Mark Houser and Winemaker Kevin Hall work as a team to maximize fruit flavor in the vineyard and to create balanced wines that capture the grapes’ varietal characteristics. Hank Wetzel oversees the vineyard and winery operations, and his wife Linda continues to oversee administration. Now the third generation of Wetzels has joined the winery. Harry Wetzel, IV is assistant winemaker while younger brother Robert is the National Sales Manager.
Alexander Valley Vineyards produces 100,000 cases annually, 17 varietal wines and proprietary blends. Seventy-five percent of AVV’s production is red wine. Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon constitute roughly half of total production. Other varietals include Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Gewurztraminer, Syrah, Sangiovese, Viognier, and Cabernet Franc.
CYRUS, a limited production, proprietary red wine, named in honor of the pioneer Cyrus Alexander, is AVV’s benchmark, honoring the past while signaling the future. Hank Wetzel explains, "Cyrus is a statement, our ultimate achievement. With this wine, we express our history, tradition, and excellence".
We invite you to visit our tasting room daily except major holidays. Tours are available by appointment.
Tasting room hours: 10am–5pm Read less

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Very expressive on the nose with a nice balance of black toasted spices and gentle ripe herbal notes accenting the ripe black currant fruit. Bright and lively in the mouth with great clarity and nice intensity without much weight. This offers up beautiful black cherry fruit supported by ripe tannins in an elegant, pure, classic California Cabernet style. There's a touch of wood sweetness on the backend and the fruit is perhaps a bit simple but this is so Cabernet, and frankly a lot of fun to drink. Delicious wine. 90pts

This review is for Sin Zin 2009 (Alexander Valley Zinfandel) - I remember previous vintages being much better. At least it still comes with a cork. Although easy to drink, I find this vintage to be simple fruity and uninspired (86 pts).

This was one of my favorite wines; I like them big and smokey, this one was smoldering of oak and tobacco, Love It! That is, the 2007 vintage. I've since tried the 2009 vintage and it is good too, not as good though.

On the nose you will find aromas of black cherry, plum, cassis, cocoa and some earthy notes In the glass there are flavors of black cherry, plum, cassis, chocolate and slight eucalyptus. The 2009 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most elegant cabs I have produced in recent years.

aromas of chocolate laced with cinnamon, blackberry, plum, black cherry and exotic wood spice. On the palate, a velvety entry is followed by concentrated black cherry and red plum fruit accented with toffee. It finishes with a hint of roasted coffee. Supp